Bail Bondsmen

DCJS only accepts the most recent versions of the applications provided on our website. DCJS is not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement.

The Division of Regulatory Services regulates individuals that engage in the business of providing bail bonding services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

LICENSING CATEGORIES

Property Bail Bondsman – Individuals who pledge real property, cash or certificates of deposit issued by a federally insured institution, or any combination thereof as security for a bond that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.

Agent Bail Bondsman – Individuals who have been given power of attorney to act on behalf of a licensed Property Bail Bondsman.

Surety Bail Bondsman – Individuals who are also licensed by the State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance as a property and casualty insurance agent, and who sells, solicits, or negotiates surety insurance on behalf of insurers licensed in the Commonwealth, pursuant to which the insurer becomes surety on or guarantees a bond that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.

Fax at 804-786-6344 (applications must have the Credit Card Authorization Form attached for processing)

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Be a minimum of 18 years of age;

Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States; and

Have received a high school diploma or GED.

Have successfully completed all initial training requirements at a certified or licensed private security services training school. This is to include a minimum passing grade of 70% on the bail bondsman exam.

Any collateral that is not in the form of real estate, cash, or certificates of deposit issued by a FDIC-insured financial institution shall be specifically approved by the Department before it may be used as collateral.

If the property used as collateral is real estate, such real estate shall belocated in the Commonwealth. In addition, the property bail bondsman applicant shall submit to the Department:

True Copy of the Current Tax Assessment or Real Estate Appraisal (required for each property)

Powers of Attorney (if applicable)

Lien/Obligation Documentation (if applicable)

If the property used as collateral consists of cash or certificates of deposit, the property bail bondsman applicant shall submit to the Department:

Current Financial Statement (required for each account)

Powers of Attorney (if applicable)

Additional Information for Surety Bail Bondsmen

Submit copies of each qualifying power of attorney that will be used to provide surety. All qualifying powers of attorney filed with the Department shall contain the name and contact information for both the surety agent and the registered agent of the issuing company. In the event an applicant for a surety bail bondsman license is unable to obtain a qualifying power of attorney prior to the issuance of his license, you will be issued a temporary licensure letter affording you thirty days to submit the power of attorney to the Department. This licensure letter will not authorize you to bond.

If the property used as collateral is real estate, such real estate shall be located in the Commonwealth. In addition, the property bail bondsman applicant shall submit to the Department: (required for each property)

True Copy of the Current Tax Assessment or Real Estate Appraisal ( if appraisal is over 5 years old)

Powers of Attorney (if applicable)

Lien/Obligation Documentation (if applicable)

If the property used as collateral consists of cash or certificates of deposit, the property bail bondsman applicant shall submit to the Department:

COLLATERAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT

Complete copies of all supporting documentation used by the abstractor, including but not limited to all deeds of trust, easements, full copies of all notices of all judgments, notices of liens, easements, proof of satisfaction of liens, etc.

The main requirements for both surety and property are as follows, please review the additional requirements listed under the surety or property questions. You must submit the following to the department:

Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored;

Employee, spouse of an employee or residing in the same household of an employee of a local or regional jail; sheriff's office; state or local police department; persons appointed as conservators of the peace pursuant to Article 4.1 (§9.1-150.1 et seq.) of this chapter; an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth; Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local community corrections agency.

The compulsory minimum entry-level training hour requirement excluding examinations and practical exercises, is 40 hours. The course code for DCJS is 40E. To see the topical outline or find a certified school, check the following links:

No. Persons who carry or have access to a firearm while on duty must have a firearm endorsement as described under 6 VAC 20-250-90 of the Regulations. If carrying a concealed handgun, the person must also have a valid concealed handgun permit, and the written permission of his employer pursuant to §18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia.